Odd Books

I thought that the many UK lurkers here might be interested to know that Waterstones have a couple of odd book compilations half price in their sale at present (at least in the Belfast branch but I assume nationally as well)

Scouts in Bondage: And Other Books from an Innocent Age by Michael Bell and the updated third edition of the incomparable
Fish Who Answer the Telephone and Other Bizarre Books by Russell Ash and Brian Lake

A recent book that is both extremely odd, but also very in tune with our times, is 'The Personal Security Handbook: The Ultimate Guide to Protecting Your Home and Family' by Dr. Chris McNab and Joanna Rabiger (Lyons Press, 2003).

I picked this up from a bargin bin and opened it find such classically paranoid advice as:

"Watch Exits: Note who gets on and who gets off the train, and survey the platform through the exit door before you leave the train yourself." (p. 105)

Hello,

I am searching for an odd children’s book that I read sometime between 1971 and 1973.

Unfortunately I do not remember the title of the book or what exactly it was about, though a color illustration from the book still stands out in my mind even though I am now in my 40’s.

I have followed Alfred's purchases of odd books for the past 3-4 years. I even purchased a copy of 'How to Defend Yourself Against Alien Abduction" after reading his review. This site is a welcome refuge from the seriousness of other collecting websites. Again, congratulations for finding a unique collecting genre and sticking to it.

Art Layton
USA

There won't be any new book reports on the Odd Books site for a while, as I am attempting to write a book of my own. While you wait, please feel free to leave amusing comments or questions here. I'll endeavour to respond promptly, if not always politely.